In the war of words between Krabloonik owner Dan MacEachen and the sled-dog business’ former general manager, Guy Courtney, they agree at least on one thing: Courtney was hired four years ago because of his knowledge of money matters.

It was around 2008 when Courtney first visited the business. Courtney spoke knowledgeably about money and marketing, and became friendly with the staff and MacEachen over a few more visits, MacEachen said in an interview last week.

If you see a plume of smoke rising from Missouri Heights amid the falling snow this winter, the odds are good that the small fire burning there will keep a much bigger fire from burning when the summer comes.

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As an author of four books who is working on a fifth, I greet with joy and gratitude BuzzFeed’s decision to no longer publish negative book reviews. Sure, this will deprive the public of a certain genre of joyfully vicious writing (“Weader fwowed up” — Dorothy Parker, on A.A. Milne’s cloying children’s book “The House at Pooh Corner”) ... but so what? At least writers’ feelings will be spared.

I’m not entirely sure why BuzzFeed drew this particular line — this is not a website famous for worrying unduly about the nature (or quality) of its content: On the very day I write this, its editor is all over the Web publicly defending BuzzFeed’s practice of reporting events before confirming they are true. And its featured homepage story is “The 40 Most Awkward Cats of 2013.” But what the hell — this decision is good for me, and I celebrate it.

Hats off to all who had a hand in planning and executing last week’s “Aspen History 101” at the newly refurbished Wheeler Opera House. This survey of the town’s history was pure joy — from the vivid portrayals of Aspen pioneers (some featuring actual descendants of the persons depicted), to the delightful condensed history of the town’s later decades given by the History Players (whose flawless ensemble, tight three-part harmony, and bubbling mirth never cease to amaze), to the fascinating discussion of the genesis and early days of Aspen State Teachers College, presented with stately aplomb by Dr. Slats Cabbage, one of the school’s founding fathers. Dr. Cabbage stands as living proof that a mere will o’ the wisp, if thoughtfully nurtured, can over time take on its own enduring reality. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and there is an Aspen State Teachers College, too.